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Where Will Gen AI Deliver Real Value in 2025? by Praveen Rao

William Attardi on November 26, 2024

The manufacturing industry is on the cusp of change. Over the next decade, gen AI will become a cornerstone of manufacturing operations—driving innovation, improving efficiency and enhancing overall competitiveness. Here are three key trends manufacturing leaders should watch next year.

1. The Future of Manufacturing Is Multimodal – Multimodal AI refers to models that can process and analyze both structured and unstructured data across multiple types of data inputs, such as text, images/video, audio/sound and vibrations. Allowing organizations to be both efficient and effective in their operations.

2. Gen AI Will Drive Customer-Centric Manufacturing – Over the past five years, there has been a shift toward online shopping, with customers buying everything from consumer packaged goods to cars online. We anticipate a shift from the traditional stock-and-sell sales model to a complex make-to-order sales model in the future.

3. Gen AI Can Help Bridge the Manufacturing Skills Gap – A widening skills gap is impacting the manufacturing industry, as experienced workers retire and manufacturers struggle to attract and retain new talent with the necessary skills. This challenge is amplified by the rapid pace of technological change, demanding that frontline workers are equipped with helpful tools for real-time problem solving. Generative AI offers a powerful solution to the manufacturing skills gap by transforming how knowledge is shared and applied.

Learn how Gen AI transforms manufacturing | Leadership & Innovation | advancedmanufacturing.org

The Lagging Transition to LEDs in Schools – Part 1 of 3 by Jessica Kelly, Andrea Wilkerson, Dan Blitzer

William Attardi on November 26, 2024

This article series looks at the current situation from the perspective of school facility personnel. Part 1 covers the transition to LED technology. Part 2 will identify changes coming to the lighting market, and Part 3 will offer thoughts for practical paths forward for LED systems in schools. Although commercial LED lamps and luminaires have been available for more than a decade, educational facilities have been slow to adopt LED technology. As of 2020, 78% of the lighting in U.S. educational buildings was still fluorescent, according to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solid-State Lighting program in the “2020 U.S. Lighting Market Characterization” report. The general feeling of, “We have fluorescent, we’re fine,” may change as the situation evolves. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series where we discuss these upcoming changes to the lighting market regarding fluorescent availability and utility rebates. The Lagging Transition to LEDs in Schools – Part 1 of 3 | EC&M

Lighting Controls: Achieving Energy Efficiency and Visual Comfort by Barry Reeb

William Attardi on November 26, 2024

Lighting is often overlooked as merely a functional fixture in building design. However, it plays a critical role in shaping both the ambiance and comfort of spaces we live and work in every day. Over the last few decades, the adoption of advanced lighting control strategies has grown to be a powerful tool for both lowering energy consumption and increasing the well-being of its inhabitants. The key is in the design. There is a fine balance and intersection between lighting controls’ mandate to lower a building’s overall energy consumption and enhance the work/life environment through visual comfort. Lighting controls that empower people to personalize their lighting experience contribute to overall health and well-being. Lighting Controls: Achieving Energy Efficiency and Visual Comfort – Facilities Management Insights

Harris’s Proposed Capital Gains Tax Rate Would Be Highest for Many Since 1978

William Attardi on November 26, 2024

As part of the 2024 presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is proposing to tax long-term capital gains at a top rate of 33 percent for high earners, taking the top federal rate to highs not seen since 1978. There are also additional state and local capital gains taxes to consider. The current top combined capital gains tax rate is 29.1 percent, consisting of the 20 percent capital gains tax rate, the 3.8 percent NIIT, and the 5.3 percent average of state and local income tax rates on capital gains. By taxing high earners’ capital gains at 28 percent and raising the NIIT to 5 percent, Harris’s proposals would raise the top combined tax rate on capital gains to 38.3 percent—the second highest in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), behind Denmark’s 42 percent. In USA, adding state and local taxes, 10 States are over 40% with California at #1 at 46.3%. Similarly, under Harris’s proposals, the top tax rate on dividends would be nearly the highest in the OECD. Harris Capital Gains Tax Rate Would Be Highest Since 1978 (taxfoundation.org)

Why Use AI – 5 Reasons besides making us smarter:

  1. Efficiency and Automation: AI can automate repetitive tasks… saves time and reduces human effort
  2. Data Processing: AI excels at analyzing large datasets quickly… uncovers patterns and insights that humans might miss
  3. Scalability: AI systems can handle growing workloads… without a proportional increase in costs or resources
  4. Accuracy: AI can perform tasks with high precision… reducing errors in areas like diagnostics or forecasting
  5. 24/7 Availability: AI tools can operate continuously… improving productivity and customer support